1736 Jernegan's Cistern Medal. White Metal, 38.4mm. By John Tanner. Betts-169, MI:72. Choice Extremely Fine.
Not Sold
Item Description
1736 Jernegan's Cistern Medal. White Metal, 38.4mm. By John Tanner. Betts-169, MI:72. Choice Extremely Fine.
Obv. Helmeted Pallas Athena stands amid emblems of war and the arts, BOTH HANDS FILLD FOR BRITAIN. Rev. Queen watering palmettos, GROWING ARTS ADORN EMPIRE, CAROLINE PROTECTING. The Queen was patron of this goldsmith and exercised considerable influence over her spouse King George II. Most medals seen are in Silver, the present example’s surfaces suggest a cast.
Generally seen in Silver, this medal was struck by goldsmith Henry Jernegan of Covent Garden, London, for a lottery he held to dispose of a massive Silver wine cistern he had created but could not sell. American auctioneer W.H. Strowbridge made up a story in 1863 claiming that this medal commemorated the separation of North and South Carolina into separate colonies.
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